This year, while the New York Yankees slumped to the lowest of the low, their bullpen thrived under pressure. The collective ERA of the relievers and closers stood the best in the league for the longest time. However, the negative energy got the better of the situation as the team’s strongest unit was grappled by injuries.
In this month, the New York Yankees have made as many as nine bullpen changes, majorly due to unforeseen circumstances. Jonathan Loisiaga, Keynan Middleton, and Albert Abreu remain on IL with respective injuries as of this writing. Meanwhile, another major injury has caused a forced change, which is likely to strengthen the bullpen club for final stretch of the season.
Yankees Place Anthony Misiewicz On IL With Concussion!
On Friday, the New York Yankees reliever Anthony Misiewicz got struck by a 100.6 mph liner from Pittsburgh’s Ji Hwan Bae in the sixth inning. The reliever failed to put up his glove on time and got badly hit on the head. He made a failed attempt to get up on his feet before the van arrived to cart him off. The pitcher was then taken to Allegheny General Hospital, and multiple tests were conducted, which diagnosed Anthony with concussion. Subsequently, the Yanks shuffled Anthony Misiewic, who has been placed on 7-day IL with a concussion and is likely to miss the rest of the season. He joined the franchise in July after being claimed off waiver and was immediately assigned to Triple-A.
However, his major league stint didn’t last long. On the other hand, the New York Yankees reinstated breakout reliever Ian Hamilton off 15-day IL. He was sidelined since August 31 owing to a groin injury. Prior to the setback, the reliever was having a terrific debut season. In 35 games, he stook 2-2 with a 2.24 ERA, 64 strikeouts, and 23 walks in over 52 innings. Having said that, after maintaining a good run for most part of the season, the bullpen has fallen. In the world of baseball, the bullpen is often where games are won and lost. And the Yankees understand the importance of shoring up this area to achieve their championship aspirations in the future. This season is already lost, and the Bombers need to make up in 2024.
Frankie Montas Makes Surprising Recovery Move!
Right-hander Frankie Montas arrived in the Bronx via trade from Oakland Athletics in 2022. However, injuries got the better of him to adversely hamper his stint in pinstripes. The pitcher went 1-3 with a 6.35 ERA in 2022. But, a prolonged shoulder injury relapsed prior to the start of the 2023 season, which sidelined him for most part of the year.
Meanwhile, in a surprising move, Frankie Montas is set to make his 2023 season debut with Triple-A Scranton Wilkes/Barre. Greg Joyce of the New York Post confirmed the news. Earlier, Montas was suspected of missing the entire season. Moreover, the Yankees went radio silence from their end as they released no updates whatsoever. Hence, this sudden development certainly caught the fans by surprise.